“Illustration of a suovetaurilia, a ritual sacrifice made before the start of a military offensive. At the bottom, a pig and a sheep are being led to the sacrificial altar. The ox which was also destined for sacrifice cannot be seen in this view....

“The images on Trajan’s Column are not only notable for their bold artistry, but also constitute an important historical record. This section of the frieze vividly illustrates the painstaking accuracy of the depictions. The lower register shows the...